Why is it that when we think salad, we immediately think lettuce, tomatoes and cucumbers no matter what time of year!? When it’s winter, we need to forget the old standby and remember what Mother Nature provides -- like a bounty of root vegetables, citrus and hearty greens which makes the perfect start to something delicious.
There really are no hard and fast rules when it comes to making salads so just look for the best quality, freshest organic ingredients you can find and then have some fun playing with the colors, textures and balance of flavors!
To start, go beyond lettuce you find in plastic clam shell boxes at the grocery store and look for leafy green kale, purple cabbage and escarole to give you a substantial and nutritious base. How about adding some crunchy crimson red radicchio? It’s bold and slightly bitter and makes the perfect base for dried fruit, nuts and pungent cheese like gorgonzola.
Then, throw some citrus into the mix for a true celebration of the season that adds brightness and pop. Their juice and finely grated zest is the perfect addition to any dressing and ties the whole salad together. I love adding dried figs and apricots to salads this time of year. And don’t forget a few toasted almonds, walnuts or pistachios which will add crunch as well as a bit of protein which will keep you satisfied and wanting more!
If you were to come over to my house, you'd see that grain salads are my go-to lunch almost every day. They're quick to make and so versatile -- plus you can incorporate tons of flavor all in one bowl! And I also like to cook up lots of comforting root veggies like carrots, turnip, rutabaga, and beets. Toss them with a dressing and they too make a great salad. Yesterday, I threw together some drained and cooled quinoa with leftover chunks of roasted butternut squash and ribbons of lacinato kale and then tossed it with a simple citrusy vinaigrette and topped it with roasted pumpkin seeds. Yum!
See? No need to wait for summer tomatoes and cucumbers. How about today we make a delicious winter salad?! Here are five of my current favs:
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